Special Teams

What is Special Teams?

The members of a football team responsible for plays involving a
kick of a football. This includes the kicker, punter and long
snapper, as well as anybody involved in the kick return and kick
coverage teams. A team with good special teams will tend to be good
at field goals and extra points, and provide its offense and
defense with superior field position after kickoffs and
punts.

Sporting Charts explains Special Teams

Special teams is a catch-all term that refers to plays that
aren't typically offensive or defensive plays. The plays always
include a kicker or punter. A good special teams unit requires
several team members who are good at blocking after a kickoff or
punt in order to allow their returner to gain a large number of
yards. Good special teams also must be able to run down and tackle
the opposing returner to limit the starting position of the
opposing offense. Special teams units are often made up of backup
offensive and defensive players, as well as the kicker, punter and
long snapper.